News and happenings around the Lawrenceville/Princeton Campuses
Springing ahead
107.7 The Bronc hosted the first-ever Eggscellent Egg Hunt on March 23 on the Campus Mall. Thousands of eggs were gathered, and hundreds of prizes were awarded. A bunny and chick petting station also turned up in the middle of the fun.
It's official
An installation ceremony took place on April 8 for the inauguration of Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D., as the seventh president of Rider University.
‘Journey’ worth taking
The entire University community is invited to read Pulitzer Prize winner Sonia Nazario’s 2006 book, Enrique's Journey. During the academic year, it will serve as a launching point for further discussions on topics like the challenges of immigration, the impact of global poverty, and the importance of empathy and hope amidst dire circumstances.
STEM support
A $1.45 million grant — one of the largest Rider has ever received — from the National Science Foundation will provide scholarship support to Rider students preparing to become science teachers in high-need urban school districts. As a result, Rider will help deliver 24 much-needed high school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers to Camden, Trenton and Freehold Borough, among others, potentially impacting hundreds of high school and college students.
Graduate wins car
Rosie Weber ’16 won a brand new Toyota Scion iM courtesy of Team Toyota of Princeton following Commencement. Her video, “My Promise Fulfilled,” which features an original song, was chosen as the winning entry in 107.7 The Bronc’s first-ever #TeamRiderScionContest.
Burning up
A pyre of painted palettes lit up the Campus Green on April 8 for the first-ever Bronc Fire, a bonfire for students, alumni, faculty and staff following the inauguration of President Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D.
Alumni reunite
Rider broke out its red, white and blue to celebrate the election year and its own Bronc Nation for Reunions on June 10 and 11. Thirty events made up one of the biggest, and most fun, annual occasions at Rider.
Alumni returned to Princeton to reconnect with classmates and rekindle their Westminster experience for three days of Westminster Reunions, May 12-14.
School of Education
On screen
Linda Hoffman was featured in an opening plenary video at Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America 2016, held from June 12 to 14 in Atlanta. Hoffman is a graduate of Rider’s TEACH first class teacher certification program, an innovate approach to encouraging individuals with a strong interest in STEM to pursue teaching. Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, CGI is an initiative of the Clinton Foundation that convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.
Premium pupil
The 2016 New Jersey Clinical Intern (formerly called New Jersey Distinguished Student Teacher) was awarded to Ashley Clark ’16 in her certification area of Mathematics and Teacher of Students with Disabilities. Rider has had six Distinguished Student Teachers since 2010 and Clark is the seventh.
Education majors study special education in Ireland
Students traveled to Ireland in May to study Irish culture and history and learn about special education in the UK. The group visited several schools, listened to lectures and saw the sights during this memorable trip.
College of Business Administration
Interim dean named
Dr. Cynthia Newman, associate dean for accreditation and graduate programs, is leading the College for the next year as interim dean.
Time saver
Motivated and academically strong students now have pathways to complete an AACSB-accredited undergraduate business degree in as little as three years — and a graduate business degree in just one year. Learn more about Rider's accelerated degrees.
Seed money
Starting in the fall of 2016, the College of Business Administration has a new program, the Business Living & Learning Community. As part of the program, three cohorts of up to 25 students each now take a class where they are divided into five teams to develop and execute their own business plan. Made possible through corporate donations, each team will be given $500 as capital and will have to learn to address problems that any startup would face. The goal is to turn a profit that will then be donated to a charity of the team’s choosing. For more information and to get involved, contact Ira Sprotzer at [email protected].
College of Continuing Studies
Changing paths
Robyn-Cherry Seigler ’16, who is enrolled in the CCS psychology program, recently learned about the culture, history, ecotourism and sustainable development in Belize, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure made possible by Rider’s Nature’s Business course. Though she currently holds a degree in chemistry, she was determined to achieve more, beginning with a second degree.
Workshop welcomes Tony Award winner
This summer, the High School Music Theatre Workshop welcomed Broadway artist Alice Ripley, best known for her Tony Award-winning performance as Diana in Next to Normal.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
New dean
Dr. Jonathan Millen was appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on July 1. A professor of communication, he follows in the footsteps of Dr. Patricia Mosto after serving as associate dean for seven years. Millen joined Rider in 1991.
New name
Also on July 1, the College of Liberal Arts, Education, and Sciences and the School of Education began operating as two separate entities. The name of the College of Liberal Arts, Education, and Sciences was changed to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Science building renovation underway
Ambitious plans are underway for Rider to renovate eight of the original science-focused instructional spaces on the ground floor of its Science and Technology Center. Thanks to $1 million from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education Capital Improvement Fund, $100,000 from The George Alden Trust, and additional funds from Rider alumni, faculty and friends, the University has raised $1.45 million toward a total $2.1 million renovation project.
Get involved by visiting https://rideru.thankyou4caring.org/scienceandtechrenovation.
Westminster College of the Arts/Westminster Choir College
Certified sustainable
The Marion Buckelew Cullen Center was recently certified Silver by The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. In 2015, Rider was named one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the United States and Canada for the sixth straight year by The Princeton Review.
Gov. Christie visits campus
Gov. Chris Christie visited campus May 5 to tout the roughly $1.3 billion investment New Jersey has made in higher education to help colleges and universities make capital improvements. The Cullen Center at Westminster was funded partly with a $4.2 million state grant. “By investing in a place like this we are encouraging people to pursue their passion,” Christie said.
On record
Four new recordings feature Westminster choirs. Let Freedom Ring features the Bell Choir performing creative arrangements of patriotic songs. The Westminster Williamson Voices appear on Hole in the Sky, performing works by Westminster alumni Thomas LaVoy and Blake Henson, and Missa Carolae, featuring works performed at An Evening of Readings and Carols. Ode to Joy is a live recording of the Westminster Symphonic Choir’s performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 at a concert celebrating William H. Scheide’s 100th birthday.
School of Fine and Performing Arts
Learning from pros
Leaders in the field of musical theatre led master classes and met with students this year. They included Andy Blankenbueler (choreographer), Chris Jackson (George Washington), Thayne Jasperson, and Greg Haney from the smash hit Hamilton, and Emmy and Grammy Award-winner Michael Feinstein. Jackson later tweeted the photo above while sporting a Rider hoodie.
Talent showcase
Each year, the musical theatre and theatre senior class members showcase their talents in a fast-paced production for agents and leaders in the field. This year’s showcase, at Pearl Studios in New York City, resulted in more students than ever receiving offers for contracts and/or representation, including Broadway productions scheduled for the fall.